Standing up for Scotland, one year on (South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats)

South Of Scotland Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Standing up for Scotland, one year on

June 4, 2010 1:55 PM
By George Lyon
Originally published by George Lyon - Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland

One year ago today, people across Scotland were going to the polls in the European elections.

Much has changed in the last twelve months but the central promise I made to you then remains today - to be a campaigning MEP, standing up for Scotland's interests both in Brussels and in Scotland.

In the European Parliament, I feel very lucky that I have been able to combine my two great passions in life, farming and politics, by serving on the European Agriculture Committee. In this role I have been writing a report on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

In the coming years we are facing the perfect storm of rising energy costs, water shortages and concern over carbon emissions all while trying to feed a growing global population. Getting the reforms right is crucial to the future success of Scottish Agriculture and I have been pressing for a fair deal for Scottish farmers.

Back home, I have contacted over 40,000 homes across Scotland to highlight the campaign to reduce fuel prices in remote rural areas. I am delighted that, with Liberal Democrats in Government, we are now able to take this campaign forward.

Working with Scottish Secretary Michael Moore MP, I will press for Scotland to share in the proposed pilot schemes so we can take the first step towards fairer fuel prices.

I have also been pressing for tough action on climate change. After the disappointment of the Copenhagen summit, I am pleased that the EU has committed to cut CO2 emissions by 30% by 2010.

Scotland has a key role to play in achieving this goal by tapping into our huge renewable energy potential. The EU, however, must recognise the hypocrisy of preaching environmental responsibility while emitting 19,000 tonnes of CO2 by moving parliament back and forth between Brussels and Strasbourg!

In the next year I will build on this record of campaigning - but I can only do so with your help. Please sign up to the campaigns on this website, and then encourage your friends and family to do the same.

If we work together on these campaigns, who knows where we will be in a year from now.